As part of the month of women’s health, Adaa’s Women Mental Health Sig presents a series of blogs and videos that show pioneer women in the mental health sector. Observe important conversations with women raising the way in mental health to learn from their experiences and progress in the field and read the stories of women who were some of the first women to continue and have an impact on their field. See the complete collection of pioneers below.
Blogs:
Anna Freud (1895-1982): Child psychoanalysis and child psychology
Learn about Anna Frued, considered the founder of child psychoanalysis, who created a center dedicated to child analysis and research that trained the first generation of children’s psychotherapists to work in the incipient National Health Service in England. Written by Michelle Whitkin, pHD
Claire Weekes, MD, DSC (1903 – 1990): The grandmother of cognitive behavioral treatment for anxiety
Learn about Claire Weekes, MD, DSC, who originally studied zoology but made a career change in his 30 to investigate anxiety and fear in humans. Written by Elizabeth Dupont Spencer, LCSW-C
Eleanor Maccoby, PHD (1917-2018): Early pioneer in gender studies and child development
Learn about Eleanore Maccoby, PHD, whose innovative research on child development and gender studies affected various legal and social policies with respect to children in families that divorce. Written by Karen Cassiday, PHD, Act
Hedda Bolgar, PhD (1909–2013): Psychologist and psychoanalyst
Learn about Hedda Bolgar, PHD, who received his doctorate from the University of Vienna in 1934, published Antinazi material and was forced to flee to the United States, where she worked as a psychologist until weeks before her death at the age of 103. Written by Vanessa Luchtan Finkelman, Psyd
Mamie Phipps Clark (1917-1983): Pioneer psychologist on racial identity, child development and systemic racism
Learn about Mamie Phipps Clark, PHD, a pioneer psychologist whose work mainly shaped our understanding of racial identity, child development and psychological impacts of systemic racism. Written by Shirnett Khorran-Gajaj, MD, MPH, MSN, PMHNP-BC
Margaret Floy Washburn, PHD (1871 – 1939): First woman to win a doctorate in psychology in the United States
Learn about Margaret Floy Washburn, PHD, the first woman in the United States to obtain a doctorate in psychology in 1894. Written by Jami Socha, PHD
Paula J. Clayton, MD (1934 – 2021): Pioneer psychiatry with passion and precision
Learn about Paula Clayton, MD, an internationally recognized researcher, dedicated to dismissing mental health and advocating suicide prevention. Written by Karan Lamb, Psychd
Videos:
Barbara Rothbaum, PHD, ABPP
Listen to Dr. Barbara Rothman about her decision to follow a career in mental health, ways of advocating women in the field and the qualities that are leader. Look at the interview here.
H. Blair Simpson, MD, PHD
Listen to the president of Ada, Dr. H. Blair Simpson, about his decision to follow a career in Mental Health, how it was to be the only woman in the room and the role that adapts in the progress of women leaders in mental health. Look at the interview here.
Judith Beck, PHD
Listen to Dr. Judith Beck about her decision to follow a career in mental health, the role of her family in her career and her best advice for others. Look at the interview here.
Lisa Coyne, phd
Listen to Dr. Lisa Coyne about her decision to follow a career in mental health, and her advice so that others join the field. Look at the interview here.
Sally Winston, Psyd
Listen to Dr. Sally Winston about her decision to follow a career in mental health, the evolution she has seen of women who lead in the field of mental health and ways to become a leader. Look at the interview here.
